Study on determination of ethylal in workplace air by gas chromatography

Objective A solvent desorption-gas chromatography method for determination of ethylal in workplace air has been established. Methods Ethylal in workplace air was collected by activated carbon tube and desorbed with carbon disulfide, and the desorption solutions were analysed by capillary column GC with FID detector. Results The method presented a good linearity in the range of 0.87~34 800.00 mg/L of ethylal in the standard solution, with the correlation coefficient being r=0.999 7. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification of this method were respectively 0.20 mg/L and 0.80 mg/L, and the minimum detectable concentration and the minimum quantification concentration of this method were respectively 0.17 mg/m3 and 0.60 mg/m3 per 1.50 L of air.The within-run precision of the method was 2.93%-6.20%, and the between-run precision 3.67%-6.44%. The desorption efficiency between 94.22%-97.27%. Ethylal in activated carbon tube could be kept at least 7 days at room temperature without significant loss. Conclusion The method could be used for determination of ethylal in workplace air. Key words: Ethylal; Workplace; Air; Solvent desorption; Gas chromatography